Custodial death: Govt to give sanction for probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has completed the investigation in the alleged custodial death of 22-year-old Altaf Shaikh. It has even submitted the charge sheet before the trial court. However, the trial court has not accepted the charge sheet because of the pending sanction by the state on the prosecution of police officers.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has completed the investigation in the alleged custodial death of 22-year-old Altaf Shaikh. It has even submitted the charge sheet before the trial court. However, the trial court has not accepted the charge sheet because of the pending sanction by the state on the prosecution of police officers.

CBI advocates Mandar Goswami and Kiran Kandpile informed the Bombay High Court that they have filed the charge sheet.

“The court has not taken the charge sheet’s cognisance because the government is yet to reply on the sanction,” said Goswami.

A division bench of justices AM Khanwilkar and PD Kode turned down the request of Yug Chaudhary, advocate for Mehrunissa Shaikh, Altaf’s mother, for a copy of the charge sheet. Khanwilkar said giving the petitioner a copy of the charge sheet will depend on the decision the government takes. “If the government decides not to grant the sanction then you will have to establish your case,” said Justice Khanwilkar.

The high court has kept the matter for hearing on December 2 observing that by then the government would take a decision on the sanction.

Altaf’s death had come under the scanner after his mother, Mehrunissa Shaikh, filed a petition alleging that her son was killed in police custody. She had sought action against the policemen responsible for her son’s death.

Altaf was picked up by the police on September 11, 2009 and was dragged to police station, Mehrunissa has alleged.

On October 26, the high court transferred the investigation to the CBI.

On November 27, 2009, the CBI had lodged an FIR against four policemen, sub-inspector Sanjay Khedekar, head constable Raghunath Kolekar, police nayak Sayaji Thombre and nayak tahsildar VV Rane, for their alleged role in Altaf’s death.